Bigger PVC needed

[Jane And Rog]

Hi,

We currently have a VW Autocampers MRV - this one in fact

https://www.practicalmotorhome.com/reviews/motorhome/47267-auto-campers-mrv

We absolutely love it, but as we enjoy CLs, France Passion, and getting off grid, we think we need something bigger. Must haves are a bathroom and a comfortable lounging area for bad weather - we think this means two opposite bench seats so we’e coming round to the rear lounge layout even though that means making the bed up. (Though maybe if there’s a front dinette or swivel seats at the front we could leave the bed set up if need be.)

Another need is a fair bit of storage for BBQ, fire pit, Dutch ovens etc (we love our outside cooking and the MRV is brilliant at storage), and in a very ideal world, bikes. We have also toyed with the usual euro layout because of this, which would get us a permanent comfy bed, but the bad weather lounging wouldn’t be as good.

We have a big dog too, so somewhere for him to kip would be good - again the front dinette helps, and we could probably place a board over two swivel seats if that was all there was.

The thing we’re really struggling is the design of most camper vans - we love the more ruffty tuffty vibe of the MRV with bright orange interior and plain decor, and don’t fancy anything with piping on the cushions. We kind of want a sports camper, but not the boy racer motor racing type.

Is there anything out there?

(PS have asked Steve of Autocampers if he’ll do us a bigger vehicle and the answer is no, at present.)

 

[Jane And Rog]

I think the French bed will end up too narrow. Our current one is 120cm, and it's a bit tight especially with a partner who likes a few beers and a good snore afterwards

I think we are coming round to either of the half-dinette designs actually, or at least making sure both front seats rotate - then we could put a board over them with the dog bed on. But the advantage of the half-dinette with a rear lounge would be that we could treat the rear bed as a fixed bed if we wanted to (e.g. in good weather) and only pack the bed away if we need the comfortable lounging inside (UK).

I think some of the U shaped rear lounges will have enough storage space for us, though we'd really prefer two benches so that we can open the rear doors and get access that way. Have to see about storage in that situation - maybe just a big waterproof lockable box that we move outside.

 

[Trikeman]

We have the AutoSleeper Warwick XL which is 6.36m long, two fantastic large rear ‘benches’ (can be a mahoosive double too), separate loo and shower cubicles, full cooker (as at home), microwave, onboard lpg tank, fresh and waste, solar, rear air assistance suspension, loads of storage high and low, and superbly insulated.
We have two old, cumbersome staffies that ‘live’ with us and come everywhere with us and sleep in gangway and by front seats.

Would highly recommend checking this one out - we literally viewed hundreds before we bought this one.
Nothing like being by the beach with rear doors open and feet up aye?

Regards

Trikeman

 

[Minxy]

I think we are coming round to either of the half-dinette designs actually, or at least making sure both front seats rotate - then we could put a board over them with the dog bed on. But the advantage of the half-dinette with a rear lounge would be that we could treat the rear bed as a fixed bed if we wanted to (e.g. in good weather) and only pack the bed away if we need the comfortable lounging inside (UK).

We had an Autocruise Accent (2012) which had a half dinette and a rear lounge with 2 side benches which made into a transverse double bed - it looked great and was nice for lounging during a day out but it was a pain to make up into a bed so it was always left as a bed and we just slobbed about on top of it ... it also meant we had more storage than if we'd kept it as a lounge during the day.

 

[Jane And Rog]

I’m not normally a fan of the Autosleeper decor, Trikeman, but yours looks a bit more country than bungalow if you know what I mean. (The one I looked at recently had a good layout but the soft furnishings were all lilac with piping.) What year is it? Or did you choose a custom fabric etc?

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[DBK]

If you want customisable interiors have a look at Murvi. You can have rubber on the floor and bright colours if you want. They are a completly different layout to what you have considered but the lounging space is huge, as are their kitchens. If you want extra storage the XL versions are worth looking at and bikes, if not too heavy, will go on a door hung bike rack.

 

[CazPaul]

If you want customisable interiors have a look at Murvi. You can have rubber on the floor and bright colours if you want. They are a completly different layout to what you have considered but the lounging space is huge, as are their kitchens. If you want extra storage the XL versions are worth looking at and bikes, if not too heavy, will go on a door hung bike rack.

I will second that, we had a Morello, lovely conversion. The only thing I was unsure about was the insulation, isover spacesaver it was called but looks just like thin loft insulation but having said that I took a panel out after 10 years and it was like new the insulation.

 

[Trikeman]

I’m not normally a fan of the Autosleeper decor, Trikeman, but yours looks a bit more country than bungalow if you know what I mean. (The one I looked at recently had a good layout but the soft furnishings were all lilac with piping.) What year is it? Or did you choose a custom fabric etc?

Hi @Zingano
Our Warwick XL is a 2016 and the interior does have ‘the country look’ about it, not the first time that’s been suggested.
The soft furnishings colour scheme is a subtle mix of beige, greys and browns and is better in the flesh than photos. This scheme complements the light oak and dark fronts of the drawers and high cupboards.
We love the colours and have seen it in later (2018) vans also.
Hope it helps.

Trikeman

 

[Jane And Rog]

I'm probably being stupid but I can't find a true twin sofa rear lounge in the Murvi range?

Will add the Warwick XL to the list. I hope all these people are at the Feb show at the NEC!

 

[carolyn]

I'm probably being stupid but I can't find a true twin sofa rear lounge in the Murvi range?

Will add the Warwick XL to the list. I hope all these people are at the Feb show at the NEC!

Murvi only do front lounge ones so it's not you! It's a pity as I think they are very good according to @DBK and he uses his a lot. They are also nearer to us than Yorkshire.

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[Blue Knight]

I'm probably being stupid but I can't find a true twin sofa rear lounge in the Murvi range?

Will add the Warwick XL to the list. I hope all these people are at the Feb show at the NEC!

We were fortunate enough to buy from a dealer (SMC in Newark) who sold both the Autosleeper and Globecar range of PVCs so it was really easy for us to compare the vans and their respective specifications.

The Auto-Sleeper Warwick XL was (and still is) a real favourite of ours but having a big dog meant that it was just not practical as the poor thing would not be able to turn around in any part of the van. The water tanks are also quite small so that to us was a bit of a negative too. The other downside (this is a personal choice BTW), is that you do everything in one area (eat, sleep, watch TV) and we didn't want to faff around again with having to make our bed all the time. We had to make up our bed in our first coachbuilt and just couldn't be arsed with all the hassle again. This is not a criticism to the Autosleeper Warwick XL as there's just as many people who like making up their beds than don't so there is no right or wrong - it's all down to your own needs.

In the end the Globecar was a no brainer for us. It had a whole load of usable space for the dog while Nicky and I had two seperate living areas, huge storage space, big water tanks, a highly innovative ablution area, and a real fresh looking interior as this was from the Globecar H-line factory; i.e. a bit more Ikea-looking.

It's all about personal choice and in our case the cookie crumbled in the direction of the German built van.

All the best,

Andrew

 

[DBK]

I'm probably being stupid but I can't find a true twin sofa rear lounge in the Murvi range?

They don't as already mentioned but if you can get to sit in one you might be converted. It was what sold their layout to us - the feeling of being outside while you are inside. Layout is a personal thing so I'm not saying the Murvi layout will suit you but try and give it a go. They don't do many exhibitions but will be at the NEC next month I think, otherwise it needs a trip to Plymouth area.

 

[busby]

They don't as already mentioned but if you can get to sit in one you might be converted. It was what sold their layout to us - the feeling of being outside while you are inside. Layout is a personal thing so I'm not saying the Murvi layout will suit you but try and give it a go. They don't do many exhibitions but will be at the NEC next month I think, otherwise it needs a trip to Plymouth area.

Good kitchen in MURVIS,,very well constructed.BUSBY.

 

[CazPaul]

Murvi would definitely be my PVC of choice if I was single, when there is 2 of you different, I would opt for a rear double bed van as with the Murvi, excellent build quality as it was, when I got up first and took the dog out there was no where to sit when I got back if she wasn't up.